Trellis bracket and system for supporting climbing plants from top of a wall or fence on both sides

ABSTRACT

An adjustable fence-top trellis support bracket assembly forms the basis of a system for creating adjustable trellises on two sides of a fence or wall, and includes a) an elongated support bracket member, b) curved-loop ends on the elongated bar member and the adjoining bracket portion wherein one is attached proximal one end and the other proximal an opposite end of an elongated bar member; c) a movable L-shaped leg generally perpendicular to an elongated bar member of the elongated support bracket portion, wherein the movable leg is engagable with the elongated support bracket member; and d) a means for adjusting and then securing the movable L-shaped leg against the elongated bar portion of the support bracket member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/251,318 filed Oct. 1, 2021.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to supporting vines orclimbing plants, and, more particularly, the present invention relatesto a system and apparatus for supporting such vines and climbing plantsover a wide range of widths and heights, and that has been designed forinstallation on top of a wall or fence for plant growth on both sides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vines or climbing plants are some of the most versatile plants in agarden or landscape, especially for limited ground area. Supportstructures, such as trellises and arbors, are commonly used for suchplant. Presently available trellises are typically installed in theground or parallel to a wall. They can be used advantageously for bothornamental and vegetable-growing plants, but for a limited height,typically no more than 6 feet, and a limited width of no more than 3feet.

Ground supported trellises, some attached to a wall or fence, are themost common and many designs exist. Vines typically have to be plantedadjacent to a trellis. Installation of a ground supported trellis can betime consuming and cumbersome because holes need to be created in theground and many trellises commonly require additional support sleeves orwall attachments in order to keep them erect. If no support sleeve orconcrete is used, then the ground supported trellis will tend to lean orcollapse when a plant becomes top heavy. In addition, if wood trellisesare installed directly in the ground, the legs can rot requiring a newtrellis in time. Similarly, steel trellis will eventually rust.

A conventional wall-mount or in-ground purchased trellis is generally alarge rigid structure which is cumbersome to transport and veryexpensive to ship. Also, these trellises create an end-of-season cleanupproblem because dead foliage and vines are an eyesore and can bedifficult to remove from a trellis so it can be used the following year.

There are numerous types of plant support brackets that look similar atfirst glance, but they generally attach to the vertical wall of thefence, which requires hardware installation and limits the weight thatcan be supported. There may be fence-top brackets on the market, butthey are for a single side only, thus the weight they can support willbe limited before it pulls on the top of the fence.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a support apparatus and system thatis designed for specific locations, particularly on both sides of a longtall wall or fence, or other commonly used locations. And a need alsoexists for an apparatus that is non-ground supported that can beinstalled generally above a plant that increases space for rootstructure and also provides multiple generally vertical paths for theclimbing plant shoots. In addition, an improved trellis should create amore aesthetic presentation over a substantial width and increasesunlight exposure to the foliage, which also promotes healthy growth.

PRIOR ART

Others have attempted to support vertically growing vines with anadjustable and collapsible trellis, such as that disclosed by Bayliss inU.S. Pat. No. 3,264,783. Bayliss teaches using rigid rings, rods, andtubing to create a trellis, which entails a considerable amount ofassembly work. It relies on support from the ground, preferably withlegs pushed into the grounds. Another considerable drawback of Baylissis the work involved at the end of the season to separate dead vinesfrom the trellis. Swanson in U.S. Pat. No. 7,152,368 discloses a gardentrellis with a plurality of vertical rods connected to at least onehorizontal rod. The shortcomings are numerous, such as lack of heightadjustment, need to physically remove dead vines from the trellis, andsupport from the ground with attendant leaning and falling overproblems. Soot in U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,671 teaches a modular plant panelsystem with a frame supporting a grid of relatively flexible horizontaland vertical wires, rods, strings, or cables. Once again, there are afew problems, such as lack of height adjustment, need to physicallyremove dead vines from the trellis, and complicated assembly. Sootteaches a rigid single-height net frame without capability to attach toexisting structures. Carlson in US Patent Application 2010/0325949discloses a plant support apparatus with a single horizontal supportmember directly engageable with a structure. Included are multiplevertical elongated members that engage with the horizontal supportmember. By its very nature, the Carlson apparatus and the plane of theclimbing plants must be generally perpendicular to the structuresupporting it. Also, it is limited in height. One commercially availableproduct with some similarity to the present invention is the adjustablewindow planter box bracket, such as that by Vigoro. It is designedprimarily for a narrow range of railings and configured only for oneside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a pair of adjustablebrackets and a plant-support system based on the brackets and configuredfor creating trellises on both sides of a fence or wall for supportingvines and climbing plants over substantially adjustable height and widthranges. The system includes an apparatus having at least one elongatedhorizontal member and at least two of the adjustable brackets withU-shaped or partial ring at opposing ends of each bracket for supportingthe horizontal members. Installed together on a fence or wall, thesystem is at least sufficient to support at least two elongated flaccidcords having an adjustable length engageable with and suspended fromsuch support member for allowing such vines and climbing plants tointertwine therewith and grow generally vertically. The presentinvention optionally includes a means for attaching ends of the flaccidcords opposite the horizontal member to an object proximal the plantroots.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a system and apparatus for supporting vines and climbing plantsover substantial height and width ranges.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an easilyinstalled adjustable apparatus for supporting vines and climbing plantssuch that the plants can be supported from vertical structures,typically a fence or wall.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor supporting vines and climbing plants that is attractive butrelatively inconspicuous.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide anattractive apparatus for supporting vines and climbing plants that isdurable, attractive, yet relatively inexpensive.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forsupporting vines and climbing plants that includes a multi-year supplyof inexpensive strings or cord members that are disposable and can bediscarded with dead vegetation at the end of the season.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system,method, and apparatus for supporting vines and climbing plants to over 8feet in height, and over 8 feet wide, yet will be packaged into arelatively compact box.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusand a system for supporting vines and climbing plants adjacent bothsides of a fence or wall with a simple attachment to the structure suchthat it is easy to install, adjust, and remove from the top of the wallor fence without any holes in or damage to the wall.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact kit formof a system and apparatus for supporting vines and climbing plants thatis adjustable in height and expandable in width.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention whichhave been described in some specific detail above it should be notedthat various other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in therelevant art from the following more detailed description, particularlywhen such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of theadjustable fence-top support bracket for a wide-top wall.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the preferred fence-top trellissystem for supporting horizontal members from both sides of a wall.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ground stake arrangement foradjustably securing the elongated flaccid cords of the present system atground level opposite the support member.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of an alternative attachment methodfor anchoring the cords of the present trellis system adjacent theplants at the end opposite the support member.

FIG. 5 provides a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe fence-top support bracket.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flaccid cord used in the presentinvention and a cross section thereof.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of a non-trellis use of one side of asingle support bracket.

FIG. 8 provides an elevation view of the preferred method of attachingthe cords to the horizontal support rods.

FIG. 9 provides an end elevation view of an alternative embodiment for afence-top support bracket adjusted for a wide-top wall.

FIG. 10 provides an elevation view of how the system of the presentapparatus may be deployed in front of a tall fence for supportingflowering vines.

FIG. 11 presents a plan view of a kit based on a pair of adjustablefence-top brackets of the current invention and configured forinstalling the trellis system of the current invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identicalcomponents which have identical functions have been designated byidentical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated inthe drawings.

Referring first to FIG. 1 , this is a side elevation view of a preferredembodiment of the fence-top support bracket assembly 10 adjusted at themaximum opening for a wide-top wall. The gap 90 between the movable leg28 and the fixed leg 24 can be adjusted between about 1 and 40centimeters (cm) by loosening the clamp bolts 35 on the one or moreU-shaped clips 30 and moving the movable L-shaped leg 28 along theunderside of the elongated bar 18, and then tightening the U-shapedclips 30 with the aid of the bolts 35. The fixed leg 24 is a protrudingend section of the flange portion 23 of the scroll member 27. U-shapedcradles or partial loops 26 are at opposing ends of each fence-topsupport bracket such that a horizontal support bar can be supported ontwo or more spaced-apart dual-support brackets on a wall or fence. Oneor both of the extended portions of the fixed leg 24 or movable L-shapedleg 28 are optionally partially encased with a mar guard 36 to protectagainst damage or marking the fence or wall, and also to aid with atight fit against a wall.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the preferred method of utilizingthe dual-side adjustable bracket 10 for supporting horizontal rodmembers from a wall 51, such as a stone retaining wall. With the clampbolt 33 loose, the movable leg 28 is slid under the elongated bar 18 toget the appropriate gap between legs 28 and 24 so as to fit snugly overthe top of the wall 51. The horizontal support members 22 are supportednear their ends by the adjustable bracket 10, by being cradled in theend loop portions 26. If desired, a screw in the end cradle can betightened to better hold the horizontal support members 22 in place.Shown for member 22 is a PVC pipe.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ground anchor arrangement foradjustably securing the elongated flaccid cords 40 at ground levelopposite the support member. This is illustrated to provide a best modeof operation of the invention, and is not itself an element of theapparatus invention, but would be for system and method claims. Theanchors 26 adjacent the plants may be either plastic pegs with a head orelongated metal staples 29 as shown here and in FIG. 10 . The cords 40are secured to the anchor in any desired fashion.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of an alternative means for anchoringthe cords 40 near the plants when they are potted. The lower cord endscan be tied to the container 43, to the plant itself, or to an itemembedded in the soil of the container 43.

FIG. 5 provides a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe support bracket 10 with a slotted L member 28 partially rotatedbetween a narrow opening and a wide opening. The partially rotatedposition is just for better illustration. The elongated slot 30 willgenerally be adjacent and parallel to the elongated arm 18 of theelongated portion 18 of the dual support bracket 10 and held in positionby two bolts.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an end of the flaccid cord used in thepresent invention. By “flaccid” is meant, within the scope of theinvention, not wire-like and not semi-rigid, yet durable but limp whenheld between two fingers. It is preferred that the flaccid cord 40 havea generally oval cross section with an aspect ratio, 44 divided by 46,of at least two, but preferably three or greater. This ratio is notessential, but is desirable to aid in providing a compact spool and tomake the cords less visible such that from a distance the plants appearto be growing up an invisible trellis. The flaccid cords 40 aretypically made of very flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pigmented to acolor, preferably black, and made resistant to sunlight degradation.Unexpectedly, many climbing flowers and plants have been found to attachvery readily to these cords in spite of the very smooth outer surface.Examples include clematis, Mandevilla, and pole beans.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of an optional non-trellis use of oneof the elongated bracket portion of the dual-support bracket 10. Afteradjustment of the movable leg 28 for a snug fit on the fence 50, atypical hanging plant 62 can be supported near the curved loop 26. Thehanging of plants on both side of a fence also serves to counterbalancethat on each side, a key feature of the present invention.

FIG. 8 provides an elevation view of the preferred method of attachingthe cords 40 to the horizontal support bar 22. With one end of theelongated flaccid cord 40 extending down to near the plant root, theapproximate mid-section of the cord 40 is wrapped spirally two or moretimes around the horizontal support bar 22. This step is facilitated bythe nature of the flaccid and oval cross section nature of the cords asshown in FIG. 6 and its description.

FIG. 9 provides a simplified end elevation view of another method ofutilizing the adjustable dual-support bracket assembly 10 for supportinghorizontal trellis-support members 22 on both sides of a wall 50. Eachbracket 10 has an elongated bar portion 18 with a fixed branch leg 24.At opposing ends of each is at least one U-shaped cradle or curved loop26 configured to slidingly support one end portion of the horizontalsupport member 22. At least two dual-support brackets are needed tosupport a horizontal member; hence, a kit being sold for this purposemust have at least two fence-top support brackets 10.

FIG. 10 provides an elevation view of how the system of the presentapparatus 10 and flowering vines 60 may be deployed in front of a tallfence 50. These plain white fences have become very common aroundbusinesses and back yards, and are sorely in need of being dressed up.Depicted is how clematis plants 60 may appear in front of one of thesefences. It has been unexpectedly demonstrated that these plants andMandevilla vines readily climb up the flaccid cords of this inventionmore than 7 feet in a season. Surprisingly, this is accomplished withoutcross members or intersecting horizontal cords as found in netsgenerally suggested by others. However, nets or rigid rods would stillbe acceptable options, just not preferred. Two or more support brackets10 engage with the top of the fence 50 and a horizontal support barabout 3 meters (10-feet) long is supported from the bracket assemblies10. Multiple flaccid cords 40 attach to the support crossbar 22 and areanchored to the ground adjacent the plants 60 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The preferred cord color is black as the cords are nearlyinconspicuous and withstand UV radiation for at least one summer. A bigadvantage of this system is the end-of-season cleanup. The cords andplants are cut down together near both ends. The low cord cost makes itpractical to do so and just put up new ones the next season.

FIG. 11 presents a plan view of a kit 9 based on the adjustable bracketassembly 10 of the current invention and configured for installing thetrellis system of the current invention. It has two adjustable brackets10 and at least 2 segments of horizontal support members 22. Twosegments can be to be connected with couplings 24 such that there is onelonger horizontal support rod, or one can be for each side of the wallor fence. A substantial supply of flaccid cord 40, generally between 30meters (90 ft) and 100 meters, is included. A few ground anchors(staples) 29 are an optional inclusion.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of thepresent invention have been described in detail above, it should beunderstood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of theinvention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:
 1. An adjustable fence-top trellis bracket assemblycomprising: a) an elongated bar member having a first predeterminedlength, with a leg portion perpendicular to said elongated bar member,and a first U-shaped cradle at a distal end; b) an angle portion; c) anextension member with a second U-shaped cradle opposite said firstU-shaped cradle; and d) a means for releasably fastening said angleportion to said elongated bar member.
 2. The adjustable fence-toptrellis bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein said first predeterminedlength is greater than 15 centimeters.
 3. The adjustable fence-toptrellis bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the leg portionperpendicular to said elongated bar is encased in a semi-rigid coveringconfigured for protecting from marring and enhancing fit adjacent afence top.
 4. An adjustable fence-top trellis bracket assemblycomprising: a) an L-shaped bracket member with an elongated bar portionof a first length and an elongated 90-degree branch portion of a secondlength perpendicular to the elongated bar portion; b) an adjoiningbracket member configured with a tab portion for engagement with a wall;c) curved-loop ends on the elongated bar portion and the adjoiningbracket member wherein one is attached proximal one end and the otherproximal an opposite end of an elongated bar member; d) a movableL-shaped leg member having a portion parallel to said elongated barportion and a portion perpendicular to said elongated bar portion, ande) a means for removably securing the movable L-shaped leg to theelongated bar member.
 5. The adjustable fence-top trellis bracketassembly of claim 4 wherein the means for removably securing the movableleg member to the elongated bar portion is with a clamp, a bolt and anut.
 6. The adjustable fence-top trellis bracket assembly of claim 4wherein the means for removably securing the movable leg member to theelongated bar portion is a bolt through a slot in a slot in the portionof the movable L-shaped leg member parallel to the elongated bar member.7. The adjustable fence-top trellis bracket assembly of claim 4 whereinsaid first length of said elongated bar portion is between 18 and 40 cm.8. An adjustable fence-top trellis bracket assembly kit comprising: a)an L-shaped bracket member with an elongated bar portion of a firstlength and an elongated 90-degree branch portion of a second lengthperpendicular to the elongated bar portion; b) an adjoining bracketmember configured with a tab portion for engagement with a wall; c)curved-loop ends on the elongated bar portion and the adjoining bracketmember wherein one is attached proximal one end and the other proximalan opposite end of an elongated bar member; d) a movable L-shaped legmember having a portion parallel to said elongated bar portion and aportion perpendicular to said elongated bar portion; e) hardware forremovably fastening the movable L-shaped leg to the elongated barmember; f) a supply of flaccid cord having a predetermined length andconfigured to provide a plurality of generally vertical disposabletrellis elements;
 9. The adjustable fence-top trellis bracket assemblykit of claim 8 further comprising removable sheath configured for a slipresistant covering for the tab portion and the portion perpendicular tosaid elongated bar portion.
 10. The adjustable fence-top trellis bracketassembly kit of claim 8 wherein said predetermined length of the supplyof flaccid cord is between 30 and 100 meters.
 11. The adjustablefence-top trellis bracket assembly kit of claim 8 wherein said hardwareincludes at least two clamps with bolts for tightening.
 12. Theadjustable fence-top trellis bracket assembly kit of claim 8 wherein theflaccid cord is a flexible PVC cord with a cross section aspect ratio of2 or more.